tcuda, Bill and I have not shown a car at an AACA event, the car that we are working on is not ready yet. So I am not aware of what all is sent to owners.

It would seem, as ex98thdrill posted, that giving a copy of this to owners going for their First Junior Award would be a good idea.

We had five cars to judge at Hershey going for their First Junior in class 20e (1938-39 production vehicles excluding Fords). One had two 1938 Texaco maps on his front seat and a ton of stuff in the trunk of the car when I did the first pre-judging walk around. The owner was not there, mad dash for the "facilities" according to his buddies that were with him , so I told them to let him know that the maps, umbrella, jacket and all the materials in the trunk would have to be removed by the time we actually started judging.

One guy had taken the judging sheet off of the windshield card and put it into the envelope he was given, he had no idea what the sheet was and he accidentally hid it.

Not one of them knew about the AACA web-site much less these forums. But they do now after I talked with them.

That's all I was trying to say. There is a box on the request form for "Have you ever shown at National Meet?", correct? That would tell AACA Headquarters who and who would not need a copy and cut down on mailing it out to veterns. The ONLY paperwork in my registration packet at my first National show in 2002 (Hershey) was my windowcard/judging sheet, list of all registered show vehicles, name tags and my two tickets to the banquet. I actually expected more, like a map of the show field and directions onto the field ( kudos to whoever put them in this year...way overdue). I'm also not one to throw things away, so even if I failed to read something beforehand I would have read it after the show and realised my mistake.

Maybe it would be good to put a basic list of "To Dos" on the front, or even the back where the flap of the envelope is so that they see it for sure when they open the packet, of the envelope that owners get as their registration packet at the show.

That way it does not get lost in all that paperwork. I think that first timers can be overwhelmed with it all. Too much to do and too much to read.

At all the meets I have been to, there has been an owners meeting prior to the start of judging. Owners were informed what to expect and how to get their cars ready.

I would also think that, if one is planning to show a car at a meet, one would do the research and find out what is expected.

Additionally, much of what is being discussed is a moot point in this particular case - the main objections are coming from someone who is not an AACA member, so he would not be able to show a car at a national meet anyway. So is all of this discussion focussed on local regional meets? If so, as we all know, national guidelines don't necessarily apply.

Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC

actually any point that i brought up could benefit ANYone showing a car. member of the aaca or not. so no, i would not call it a moot point.

if anything, it has opened up additional discussion that may otherwise have not happened.

have a great friday! it's a wonderful fall day, here in CePA!

Well, I thought we were on the AACA website, discussing AACA judging rules on AACA members cars at AACA shows.

I did not understanding that we meant any car at any show any time anywhere.


Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC

Great point!! That is what should be discussed here, AACA rules and procedures by people trained and educated in what they are and why. Change comes from inside. Not from outsiders telling us we are doing it wrong according to their way of thinking when they admit they know nothing about AACA.

However, we welcome people that truly want to learn about the AACA and what it can offer them as antique vehicle owners.

Just found this forum and it looks like a great place to find info!

For whatever it's worth, here was my experience at Fall Hershey: I registered my vehicle for the show on the last day they were accepting entrants. Within a few days, I received a brochure telling me about the meet and how to prepare my vehicle for judging (open hood, be prepared to open doors/answer questions, don't engage judges with questions, stay out of the way unless needed). Two weeks before Hershey I had taken my truck to a non-judged truck-only show in Winchester VA; this was my only experience in any show of any kind.

Let me add that I'm a hillbilly from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and I'm not real comfortable in crowds/traffic. When I arrived at Hershey on Friday afternoon, I parked my truck/trailer in the parking lot that was shown on the map I was sent with my brochure. I went to the registration tent and received my packet and was told everything I needed to know... even which lane to drive in the next morning. I drove on at about 6:30 am Saturday and was guided to my parking spot. At just after 10:00 am, the Chief Judge told me they were about to judge my vehicle. They were extremely professional and asked me no questions.

Summary: Every single person I met from the AACA was helpful and courteous and made my first stressful show a great experience. I had planned on entering my truck in only small local shows, but now I'm glad that I went to "The Big One" and I now plan to enter in more AACA shows. As a retired Marine and former Drill Instructor, I'm a stickler for details and was completely impressed with how such a large show could be run so well. I give a big, heartfelt thank you to the people of the AACA... they worked like they were getting paid for it!

Take care, George

George It's great you had a good experience. You have to give credit to the Hershey crew since the do try to take the suggestions and make things better. When you think of the number of people that attend and the number of cars and traffic etc its amazing that it runs that smooth.

Until you join AACA and bring a car onto one of our showfields, what you have to say is a moot point.

We know the game, you don't, and you want to have fault with what we do???

Join the club, bring your car out, learn the system and then debate this, until then, go to another car club and bash their system.

Welcome aboard George. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. If one of us doesn't have the answer, we can direct you to someone who can.

Thank you George for posting. It is nice to hear that the AACA is giving first timers more info after registering for their first show. All I had to go by was my expience in 2002 and was hoping someone could shed light on how it is today. I thought someone monitoring this thread might have spoke up and cleared all this confusion up days ago.

George,

Welcome to the AACA forum as well. I believe I know your truck and if I'm correct, congratulations on your win. I was with the other green Chevy parked 2 spots up from you. You did a wonderful job on your truck and I wish you well at your next AACA National Meet.

Thanks to all for the welcome and kind words. You all seem to have a great club going and I'm glad to be a new member.

Rick, If I recall correctly, the green Chevy parked two spaces from mine was a FLAWLESS 1951. That truck was beautiful and was a well deserved winner. Congrats!

Take care, George

You did see where I researched the rules and posted them here for you, right? Those are the current rules.

WHAT?!?!? You mean they lied and we aren't getting paid?!?

Just kidding.

Welcome George. It makes all of us feel very good when a newbie has a great first time experience.

I was talking about what new members receive when they first register for a show. And George was the only one who shed any light on that aspect. Yes, I did see your post and responded to your reply as well.

CudaT340's post count goes up and up!!

Totally agree with tcuda. The more info the First Timer can get prior to showing, the better prepared. We were also sort of lost as to what was expected with the vehicle, had some difficulty getting straight directions to get our Registration packet, but then things calmed down and we had a GREAT time! We'll do it again for sure. A very helpful neighbor in our class told us the basics of what could and could not be in the car. That would be helpful to receive prior to arrival. We only receive our confirmation letter, no other info as to car prep, etc. Now we will be much better prepared for 2009! Thanks to all the AACA folks who were soooo nice and very friendly and helpful.

Many Team Captains will, if there is time available, go from vehicle to vehicle looking for things that need to be opened, removed, etc. to help first time folks at AACA shows. Many first time folks at our shows have shown at local shows and the rules are so much different.

What is acceptable there such as period correct maps and memorabilia, prior trophies won, front plates with names, etc. is not acceptable at our shows as far as being in/on the vehicle.

Rick, are you talking about that light green 4-wheel drive that was in the same class.

That was a nice truck, but in the case of your customer's truck, they were both nice trucks. I'd hate to go up against those two trucks for an award.

Yes Pat, and I'm glad George showed it, as it's been a long time since I seen one of those. Especially restored!

how can that be? the fact that I CURRENTLY don't own something "worthy of showing" at the fall hershey event (or any other aaca event for that matter - as i have a strong attachement to addtional chrome and metallic non-factory paints), means my questions warrant no validity, and are a moot point?

how is one to become more knowledgeable in the inner workings of how things operate, w/o asking questions, encouraging discussion, etc?? so i am just supposed to send in my $35, just to learn some more about what YOU can do for ME? i don't quite think that is how it will operate. seeing, and interacting with people, both live and in person, and *gasp* on the internet, are just two addtional ways to learn how the club operates. i hate to generalize the club in the fashion, as you being just a tiny percentage of the members really have no difference from anyone else to tell me what is moot. you, as i, are just one person. what says that your way, your thoughts, your methodology is correct?

i am sure that for as many people that are "siding" with you that i am the "apparent new bad seed", there are just as many people out there cheering me on, because i had enough kutspah, to voice my thoughts (as have several others). this has escelated to a point, where for me, it has become personal.


i'm sure this post will bring on yet another flurry of "me too" posts, but all i am trying to do is find out more about how things work. and judging by what i am seeing posted by a few, makes me wonder, and scratch my head.


bring on the onslought of quips, and nastygrams. I had never intended to be the trouble maker, i apparently have become around here. debate what? how silly i think some things are? i could go on for hours about that, but i won't. it's not worth my time, or yours for that matter. do you have any other clubs in mind that i could infiltrate, and bash then mr. ex98thdrill? i would love to hear your suggestions.

this thread would have been long dead with the likes of Henry Ford, and Harley Earl, and a bunch of others, had i not brought into question some issues that I FOUND ODD (i dont think i ever was saying it shouldn't be - just that i had never heard of something like opening doors etc. at ANY carshow that i have been to in the past 15+ years)

moot point. ha. you sir are a moot point. i shall not fire, until fired upon.



now where did i put that spare $35 i had? i might just join, so that way, WE sir, WE can be equals on the playing field. and I too can spout random bits of information around. How dandy would THAT be? you and I, in the same club. I can hardly wait.

That is the most arrogant comment I have read yet in this thread. You obviously think you are better than everyone else and would deny people who are not members of AACA a chance to ask questions or get help with their car.

For the record, I have been a member just over a year. I have NEVER heard anyone express such a sentiment. My car is NOT 100% stock, but it IS period correct. I am sure you would look down your nose at people like me. I will probably never show at a National event and with an attitude like yours, I don't know why I should.

Etiquette/courtesy question!

Gentlemen, the heading of this thread needs a little more attention. Please use some etiquette and courtesy!


Wayne